Washbench.



J. P. DORAU. 'WASHBENCH.

APPLIOATION FILED NOV. 3, 1909.

' 1,031,697, Patented July 9,1912.

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J. P. DORAU.

WASHBENGH.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 3, 1909.

Patented July 9, 1912.

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WITNESSES.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN P. DORAU, OF JEFFERSON, WISCONSIN.

WASI-IBENCH.

Application filed. November 3, 1909.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN P. DORAU, residing in Jefferson, in the county of \Vaukesha and State of lVisconsin, have invented new and useful Improvements in Wash benches, of which the following is a description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which are a part of this specification.

This invention relates to improvements in wash benches adapted to support wash-tubs or like articles.

The principal object of this invention is to provide a wash bench which is also adapted to support and hold a wringer in convenient proximity to tubs resting on the bench and to a washing machine adjacent thereto without removing the wringer from its support. J

A further object of the invention is to provide a wash bench with means whereby the position of the wringer support forming part thereof may be adjusted from either side of the bench and the bench itself may be easily attached to the washing machine.

A further object of the invention is to provide a washbench which is light in weight, strong and durable, easily folded for storage or transportation, and inexpensive to manufacture.

WVith the above, and other objects in view, the invention consists of the wash bench and its parts and combinations of parts as set forth in the claims, and all equivalents thereof.

In the accompanying drawings in which the same reference characters indicate the same parts in all of the views: Figure 1 is a side view of the complete wash 'bench shown in connection with a washing machine and with two wash tubs, the wash tubs being shown in dotted lines; Fig. 2 is a plan view of the bench, a part broken away to show other part-s beneath; Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view thereof taken on line 3-3 of Fig. '1; Fig. 4 is a side View of a modified form of bench; Fig. 5 is a fragmentary detail view of a modified form of wringer frame clamping means; Fig. 6 is a plan view of Fig. 5;Fig. 7 is a side View of a means for locking the wash bench to a washing machine; Fig. 8 is a side view in folded position of the complete bench modified as shown in Fig. 9; and Fig. 9 is a fragmentary detail view of one of the side bars of the frame, slightly modified.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 9, 1912.

Serial No. 525,984.

Referring to the drawings the numeral 10 indicates the bench or supporting frame which consists of horizontal bars 11 connected together by cross rods 12 and sup ported on legs 13 and 14 pivotally mounted on two of the lower cross rods. The upper ends of the legs 13 are positioned to bear against one of the upper cross rods 12 and the upper portions of the legs 14; bear against shoulders 15 formed on the horizontal bars 11 when the legs are in open position. An extension frame 16 positioned between the horizontal bars 11 and pivotally connected to said bars by one of the upper cross rods 12 is adapted to be swung outwardly when it is desired to support two tubs on the bench. When the extension frame is swung outwardly it is positioned to rest on shoulders 17 formed on the supporting legs 14.

The horizontal bars 11 are L-shaped or angular in cross section with the horizontal flanges 18 extending outwardly therefrom. A wringer frame 19 straddles the horizontal bars 11 and is provided with inwardly extending shoes 20 rigidly connected thereto which are adapted to rest on the horizontal flanges 18 and to be adjustably clamped thereto by a shaft 21 provided with an eccentric portion 22 positioned to engage the lower surface of the horizontal flanges to clamp the wringer frame to the horizontal bars of the bench. The shaft 21 extends through and is mounted in the lower ends of the, wringer frame and is provided with operating handles 23 on both ends so that the frame may be released and adjusted to different positions on the horizontal bars from either side of the bench. The wringer frame is provided with a wringer bar 24; extending transversely across the wringer frame which is adapted to have connected thereto and support a wringer in convenientposition to the tubs 25.

The numeral 26 indicates a washing ma chine one of the supporting legs of which is adapted to extend over the lower cross bar 27 of the wash bench to hold the washing machine and the wash bench together. The flanged portions of the horizontal bars nearest to the washing machine are inclined downwardly at 18 so that the wringer frame may be tilted over the said washing machine.

In the modified form of bench shown in Fig. 4 the wringer frame 28 straddles the horizontal bars 11 of the bench and is pivotally connected thereto by links 29 one on of the horizontal bars 11.

each side of the bench. The vertical members of the wringer frame are provided with inwardly extending pins 30 (only one of which is shown) which are adapted to be brought into engagement with the trans verse notches 31 formed in the lower edges The inwardly extending pins are locked in engagement with the notched portions of the bars by means of eccentrics 31 positioned above the bars 11 and connectedto a transverse rod and the notched portions of said bars are adapted to rest on the transverse rod 32 and held in engagement therewith by gravity and the handles 33 are provided with extensions 34 which extend beneath the bars 11 and serve to lift said bars, by depressing the handles, when it is desired to change the position of the wringer frame with relation to the bars 11.

The modified form in Fig. 7 shows how the horizontal flanges 18 of the horizontal bars 11 are extended and provided with vertical openings 35 for engagement with pins 36 projecting from a washing machine 37 as a convenient means for connecting the two together.

The modified form shown in Figs. 8 and 9 is similar in construction to the principal form with the exception that the horizontal bars are divided medially and hinged together by hinge plates 38 in order to permit the bench to be folded into a more compact space than the principal form.

In using the bench it is positioned adjacent to a washing machine and when the clothes contained therein are washed they are then passed through a wringer mounted on the wringer frame and into one of the tubs resting on the bench. If it is desired to pass clothes through the'wringer from one tub to the other the wringer frame is moved to a convenient position between both tubs and clamped by means of the eccentric and the operation proceeded with.

In the modified forms shown in Figs. 4;, 5 and 6 the wringer frame has a more limited adjustment and the revoluble tub frame is adapted to swing either tub mounted thereon in close proximity to the wringer frame.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that a wash bench is provided which is simple in construction and operation and is adapted to expedite the handling of clothes from tub to tub and from the washing machine to the tub.

WVhat I claim as my invention is:

1. A wash bench, comprising side bars having flanged portions extending horizontally outwardly therefrom and also having outwardly and downwardly inclined flanged portions, a wringer frame straddling the bars and having inwardly extending portions which are adapted to rest on the flanged portions, and means for locking the wringerframe to the side bars in different angular positions.

2. A wash bench, comprising a tub supporting frame formed in part of side bars having flanged. portions extending horizontally outwardly therefrom and also having' outwardly and downwardly inclined flanged portions, a wringer frame straddling the bars and having inwardly extending portions which rest on the flanged portions, and a rod extending transversely across the bars and connected to the wringer frame and provided with an eccentric portion p0 sitioned. to engage the bars to clamp the wringer frame to the side bars in different angular positions.

In testimony whereof, I affix my signature, in presence of two witnesses.

' JOHN P. DORAU. WVitnesses:

C. H. KEENEY, ANNA F. SGHMID'TBAUER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

- Washington, D. G. 

